Find out how popular the last name Wala is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wala.
A topographic surname indicating one's geographic origin or residence near a valley.
Wala, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wala surname is from the 2010 census data.
Wala is the 93921st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Wala surname appeared 195 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wala.
We can also compare 2010 data for Wala to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | 93921 | 96918 | -3.14% |
| Count | 195 | 174 | 11.38% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.07 | 0.06 | 15.38% |
The surname WALA is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the region of Punjab. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "vala," which means "shepherd" or "protector of cattle." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who worked as shepherds or herdsmen.
During the medieval period, the name WALA can be traced back to various historical records and manuscripts from the region. One notable reference is found in the "Ain-i-Akbari," a 16th-century Persian chronicle commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, which mentions individuals bearing the WALA surname.
The earliest known example of the name WALA dates back to the 12th century, when a person named Hari Singh WALA was recorded as a landowner in the village of Sirhind, located in present-day Punjab, India. Another early record comes from the 14th century, mentioning a trader named Gopal WALA who was involved in the spice trade between India and the Middle East.
Over the centuries, the WALA surname has been associated with several notable individuals. One such person was Bhai Gurdas WALA (1551-1636), a renowned Sikh scholar and writer who authored numerous literary works, including the "Vaaran" and the "Kabit Savaiye." His writings played a crucial role in shaping Sikh theology and philosophy.
In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Ratan Singh WALA (1720-1789) rose to prominence as a military commander under the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He was known for his bravery and strategic leadership during various battles against Afghan and Persian forces.
Another individual of note was Sardar Bahadur Singh WALA (1839-1912), a prominent landowner and philanthropist from Punjab. He was instrumental in establishing several educational institutions and contributed significantly to the development of his region.
During the 20th century, one of the most famous individuals bearing the WALA surname was Sardar Khushwant Singh WALA (1915-2014), a renowned Indian writer, novelist, and journalist. His works, including "Train to Pakistan" and "Delhi: A Novel," explored themes of partition, religion, and cultural identity, earning him critical acclaim both in India and internationally.
The WALA surname has also been associated with various place names and locations within Punjab, such as the village of Wala Sandhuan and the town of Wala Mandi. These place names may have been derived from the surname itself or vice versa, reflecting the historical presence and significance of individuals bearing the WALA name in these areas.
We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wala.
The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:
For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wala was:
| Race/Ethnicity | Percentage | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Hispanic White Only | 62.05% | 121 |
| Non-Hispanic Black Only | 8.72% | 17 |
| Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only | 13.85% | 27 |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0 |
| Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races | 3.08% | 6 |
| Hispanic Origin | 12.31% | 24 |
Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.
Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wala has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.
| 2010 | 2000 | Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 62.05% | 72.41% | -15.41% |
| Black | 8.72% | 4.60% | 61.86% |
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 13.85% | 5.75% | 82.65% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Two or More Races | 3.08% | 6.32% | -68.94% |
| Hispanic | 12.31% | 10.92% | 11.97% |
The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.
The history and meaning of the name Wala was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
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